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Representing the views of all who live in the historic Thames-side village of Strawberry Hill No. 157 Spring 2015 In this issue... ou may have noticed that we’ve just “It’s celebration Yturned 50 but we’re not slipping into peaceful middle-age just yet. Far from it: this Association remains as active as ever and we’ve organised a time, come on!” Golden Jubilee Picnic in May to show it. You’re all invited - see the article opposite. And we’d like to see you at the AGM on 22nd April where you can have 015 is a very Between 2.30 a glass of wine on us. That’s two parties 2special year and 3 p.m. June in one year! for the Turner, one of the Elsewhere in this expanded Bulletin Strawberry Hill you can find a short history of the founders of the Association (page 3), interviews with four Residents’ Association back in of the leading Committee members from Association, 1965, will the past (pages 7 and 8), and get an idea of marking the 50th introduce the what life was like in Strawberry Hill in anniversary of 1965 (page 5), if you’re too young to have Celebration been here at the time. our founding. Sundial, designed That has to be and made for the worth a party. So we are celebrating occasion and installed in the Rose with a Golden Jubilee Picnic in Radnor 50th AGM to Garden of . Gardens on Sunday, 17th May. There The Brass Band will entertain us focus on the will be music, the unveiling of a throughout the afternoon and permanent memento of the Strawberry Hill Bowls Club will be future Association’s 50 years of working for open for any would-be players who he 50th Annual General Meeting of Strawberry Hill residents, and it’s all the Strawberry Hill Residents' free. Everyone is invited to come would like to try their hand. Teas will T also be available in the Clubhouse and Association will take place on along, bring their picnics, and enjoy an Wednesday, 22nd April from 7.30 p.m. afternoon of family fun. the popular playground is sure to be at Strawberry Hill Golf Club. All local Backed by Richmond Council and busier than ever. residents, members of the Association or The Golden Jubilee Picnic not, are warmly invited. the Friends of Radnor Gardens, with SHRA (for short) is keen to recruit new support from the Civic Pride Fund, the continues until sunset. So get the date committee members to replace long-servers Golden Jubilee Picnic will start at 2 in the diary and do as the song says: who are retiring. They are Bruce Duff, p.m. with a welcome for the picnickers ”It’s celebration time, come on!” chairman since 2006; Robert Youngs, joint- chairman from 2006 to 2012, our local from Fulham Brass Band. he Museum has created historian, website manager and producer of Ta small temporary exhibition to The Bulletin for many years; and celebrate our anniversary. There are indefatigable Bulletin editor Eugene Bacot. display boards describing the origins, the We are looking especially for people with history and the activities of the IT skills and experience in maintaining a Association. website. The Museum is open from 11 a.m. to 3 Anyone wishing to stand or to propose p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays and from 2 another candidate should telephone the p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. secretary, Pam Crisp, on 020 8898 1878 at least one week before the AGM. A précis www.twickenham-museum.org.uk of each individual’s past experience and current activities would be Friends of Radnor Gardens helpful. Following the Grand Fundraising Quiz business part of the AGM, Cllr. Clare Head, chair of FoRG writes there will be plenty of time ave the Date! St. George’s Day, Thursday for questions and comments S23rd April 2015, 7 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. at from the floor. So come along, Radnor House School. have your say, and then Watch the Post Office window for our Flyer. join us for a glass of wine. Page 1 The Bulletin No. 157 Spring 2015 www.shra.org.uk Top-of-the- Marcia’s memories range new Local artist, Marcia Hughes, reminisces about the last 50 years trawberry Hill Residents’ Association is they did when she transformed her tiny Snot alone in celebrating a Golden concrete-paved garden into a showpiece of home for MKG Anniversary this year: artist Marcia Hughes flowers and shrubs. has lived in the same house in Shacklegate Nowadays, with house prices soaring, she 3000 Lane since 1965. And though that puts her welcomes the way homeowners pay much more just outside our boundary, we are granting attention to the “kerb appeal” of their properties. t took two years of planning her honorary status as an Strawberry Hill Among the changes Marcia has witnessed Iapplications, but at last the new MKG resident because family connections with the over the last half-century, what she deplores 3000 centre is about to open in Wellesley area go back three generations. Her great- most is the huge increase in traffic. “Back then, Parade. And it has been well worth the grandfather was a local policeman and her only a few College students owned cars and wait. Owner Stefan Kadlubowski and his grandfather served as a fireman. there was very little commuter parking - unlike small team of Polish builders have Your Bulletin reporter today, when almost every produced an exceptionally attractive met Marcia when she street is lined with parked building with first-rate facilities. exhibited her watercolours cars all day long, making “I wanted to reference the original of fruit and flowers in her them dangerous for architectural style of the Village in a studio during an Art House children.” contemporary idiom,” he says. “Already weekend. A member of On the positive side, she people are coming up to me in the street to the Society of Women finds today’s students from say how much they like the result.” Artists, she teaches at the St Mar y’s better- The ground floor is a spacious shop and Landmark Arts Centre and behaved than those of the reception area for Volvo; Mazda and has received numerous past: “Back then, they would Subaru business remains in the group’s awards. And as a long- move in hordes along Heath Road premises. There is a glass wall time resident, her Marcia Hughes enjoying her garden Waldegrave Road heading where customers can relax with a coffee and memories are as for the Red Lion (now the watch their cars being serviced in the fascinating as her paintings. Waldegrave Arms), leaving broken wing adjoining workshop, which handles all After getting married, she lived first in mirrors, estate agents’ boards, bollards and makes. Surbiton. “But that was too pricey. So we came anything else detachable in their wake.” All the Upstairs is a one-bedroom flat with to , which was considered rather same, she feels that the College used to be more ”must-haves” like high ceilings, under-floor down-market in those days.” Many of the large involved in the community: “Their Bonfire heating, a wet room and even a small sun houses were divided into bedsits and it was not Night firework display was always a big terrace. In Stefan's words: “We've gone for until the late 1970s and 1980s that they were favourite with my family.” the famous ‘wow factor’.” Later on, a updated and began to be family homes again. As a doyenne of Teddington Artists, Marcia second apartment is planned. Her own house was one of the first to be Hughes will be showing at their June exhibition Acting as his own project manager, built in Shacklegate Lane in the mid-19th at the National Physical Laboratory. Then, from 3rd to 5th July, she will participate in this Stefan meticulously researched every aspect century, as part of a terrace called Catherine’s year’s Art House event. For full details, check of the build. The feature soffits, barge Cottages. Next-but-one was the General Post her website: boards and gable ends were made by hand. Office and the remains of a stable still exist at www.marciahughesart.co.uk Bricks had to be Old London Stocks in the the back of the present building. A few doors away was Newmont Engineering, a metal traditional soft yellow, with grey Indian Advertising Feature slate tiles on the roof. Paint on the arched components factory where Marcia worked for entrance gate had to match the blue of the 20 years. Houses now stand on its site, two decorative clocks on the front and side although the company still operates in walls, crafted to Stefan’s design and lettered Isleworth. in gold leaf. With his first construction such a success, he has advice for anyone else planning a major build: “Use the internet to source materials. I saved thousands that way.” Have your summer Stefan, the K in MKG 3000, founded his company with two partners in l998 in Heath holidays on us! Road, adding the Strawberry Hill workshop e have a large database of quality a year later. He is now sole owner of one of tenants who are visiting the area London's top dealerships for Mazda, Volvo W for The Rugby World Cup and are and Subaru. An example of Marcia’s work looking for short-term accommodation. We also have tenants looking for When Marcia arrived, there were a number accommodation as part of their summer of traders in the vicinity, including a caravan holiday in the UK. company, a junkyard and various other It's most likely that we will be able to enterprises known to the locals as “Steptoe-type achieve a very healthy rental for your home outfits”. All gone in 2015, thanks to at this time of the year… it might just pay gentrification, recycling and e-Bay. for that all important summer holiday you “Fifty years ago, the whole area was much are planning now! less green, and the streets weren’t tree-lined, For more information, do pop into our like today,” Marcia recalls. So she set about office opposite Strawberry Hill Station or putting up window boxes and hanging baskets, you can contact us on 020 3514 1188 or MKG300’s new development an idea her neighbours soon followed - just as email: [email protected] Page 2 The Bulletin No. 157 Spring 2015 www.shra.org.uk A brief history of the Strawberry Hill Residents’ Association Robert Youngs, our archivist, has been leafing thorough 50 years of minutes, Bulletins and letters Trunk road threatens to split village A birthday party for Alexander Pope anuary 1965. Harold Wilson is Prime Minister, Sir Winston In 1988, the committee organised a party to celebrate the 300th JChurchill dies, the Beatles’ “I Feel Fine” tops the charts, nine anniversary of Alexander Pope's birth. Held in the Waldegrave Suite in million viewers watch Coronation Street and Geoff Boycott takes 3 , festivities began with an 18th century punch for 47 against South Africa. (courtesy of Young's brewery) followed by a buffet supper. Then on Saturday the 9th, The Richmond and Twickenham Times Entertainment took the form of readings and music, provided by a wind published an article about a town centre development plan for Richmond, ensemble from the Royal Military School of Music at . Three in which new arterial and “primary distributor” roads were proposed to hundred tickets were sold at £11.50 each. relieve the traffic congestion. Major planning applications opposed In Twickenham, one of these roads would have run from the A316 Bulletin 12 , in May 1969, noted that planning applications had been near Egerton Road, down Grove Avenue and into Strawberry Hill at submitted for the development of two large pieces of land in the area: the Radnor Road, which was to be extended to join Waldegrave Road near Fortescue House School site, bordered by Wellesley, Hampton and its junction with Waldegrave Gardens and continue on to Broad Street in Stanley Road, and the Glenside site, bordered by Walpole Gardens, Teddington. Spencer Road and Popes Avenue. Widening Radnor The first, previously occupied by the Metropolitan & City Police Road would have led to Orphanage and later, Shaftesbury Homes School for Boys, caused the demolition of many Association members serious disquiet about over-development and homes, and a new traffic. Nonetheless, the project was approved in January 1971 and it is extension between Tower now Shaftesbury Way, with over 100 houses. Road and Waldegrave The Glenside application, for an indoor sports centre with squash and Road would have chopped the community badminton courts on open land, was refused after the Association in two. Headlines in the objected in what proved to be the first skirmish in a 13-year battle against following issues of the the a series of attempts to develop the site. A subsequent application for more R&TT said it all: “Houses courts was refused in 1978. The final application, in 1982, for housing, may come down to make was approved by the Planning Inspectorate - but not before the way clear”, “Houses on Association had incurred legal costs of approximately £1500 to fight it. road route are now The site is now occupied by 28 houses. unsaleable” and “Save Radnor Works was a small industrial site on the river side of our village battle”. Strawberry Vale, occupied by Arthur T. Gibson, manufacturers of Having merged two Kinnear Patent Steel Rolling Shutters and Gibson Patent Bi-folding years earlier, Doors. Applications to develop the site were made and refused in 1971 Twickenham and and 1973. Two years later, Wandsworth Council considered purchasing Richmond Council the site for housing, a proposal which seems to have come to nothing. The route of the proposed 'primary distributor road' existed only as a “shadow Then in 1977, despite objections and appeals by the Association, authority” before becoming Richmond-upon-Thames Council. approval was finally granted for what is now now Mallard Place, with Twickenham Council immediately issued a statement dismissing the over 50 houses. plans as “seriously misleading” and complained that it had not been But the Association does not routinely oppose applications for consulted. But Strawberry Hill residents decided to take no chances. development. Following principles laid down in the early 1970s, the They formed a group to oppose the plans and 450 people attended the Committee only intervenes if requested to do so by members. In all the first General Meeting of the Strawberry Hill Residents' Association on cases above, there was considerable opposition from the Association's 11th February 1965 in St James' Hall - which, ironically, would probably members and barely any supported them. have been demolished if the plan had gone ahead. In certain instances, the Committee will support a planning The first officers elected at the meeting included A W Holden application - for example, when it is seen to improve the street scene. And (chairman), George R Kerpner (secretary), Cecil G Whithair (treasurer) on the rare occasions when opinion amongst members is divided, the and June Turner (vice-chair) - see pages 7 and 8. The Committee's plans Committee will use its influence with the planning authorities to reach an and decisions were published as Bulletin No. 1 and residents were acceptable compromise. encouraged to join the Association for a subscription of 5 shillings (25p). Once the threat of the new road had subsided, the new Committee Subscriptions turned its attention to other local matters, including aircraft noise, already The first committee established the annual subscription at 5/- (25p). an issue 50 years ago; increases in domestic rates (75% over the 3 years This was raised to 50p in July 1983 to rebuild its depleted funds after to 1966 and still the highest in the Greater London area); traffic, parking fighting the Glenside development. Three years later, the subscription and excessive development (Fortescue House School) - all topics which was raised to £1; then to £3 in 2003 and to £5, the current figure, in regularly concern residents today. December 2010. These increases are slightly below the rise in the Retail “New blood saves life of society” Price Index over the same period. This was a headline in the Surrey Comet in April 1985. A proposal The Bulletin to wind up the Association had been tabled at the AGM by the chairman Since 1965, the Bulletin in paper form has always been distributed, at the time, Ralph Wilcocks, because the chairman and secretary planned free of charge to all homes in the area. Committee members write the to step down next year and new officers could not be found. The articles (which frequently include suggestions from members) and handle chairman told the meeting that there had been “lukewarm support for the the layout, printing and organise distribution. For most of its 50 years, it Committee” and appealed for suitable members to join the committee. has been distributed by volunteers, usually within a week of printing, Fortunately, a new chairman, Christopher Fraser, was quickly apart from a short and ultimately unsuccessful period in the 1980s when nominated, and the whole Committee was re-elected and members it was distributed with free local papers. Distribution reverted to our more offered their support with Bulletin distribution. reliable volunteers. Continued on page 4

Page 3 The Bulletin No. 157 Spring 2015 www.shra.org.uk

Continued from page 3 Here is what some of our front pages looked style continued until December 1987, when it reverted to monochrome like in the past. Bulletin 1 was a single page, (but printed on pink paper). Since November 2007, it has been printed in typed and photocopied. Bulletin 14 (December 1969) was the first issue four colours on at least six pages with advertising. to be in colour, albeit with just a red banner, and with a new logo. This

Left: Bulletin 1 announces the formation of the Association

Right: Bulletin 16, May 1970, in 'colour' on foolscap paper, expresses concerns about the Fortescue House development

Left: Bulletin 120, March 2002, on pink paper. Traffic and parking seem to have been on people's minds

Right: Bulletin 135, the first full- colour issue with advertising

Page 4 The Bulletin No. 157 Spring 2015 www.shra.org.uk Strawberry Hill 50 years ago There is nothing permanent except change - Heraclitus

udging by the houses alone, Strawberry Hill seems to have changed little 1965 occupant Current occupant Jin half a century. Most of today's houses had been built well before 1965, Tower Road, North Side, from the station: the notable exceptions being those mentioned in the article on page 3, Confectioner (Brock) Robinson Design Alexander Close, Abbotsmede Close and smaller infills elsewhere. The big Possibly auctioneer or estate Peggy’s Pantry difference, of course, is the number of parked cars, despite the imposition agent of the Controlled Parking Zone, and a much-criticised proliferation of street signs. Boot repairer MKG 3000 Occupants of the shops, however, seem to change regularly. Records for the Grocer (Yardley) Off Licence (Premier Wines) early 1960s are incomplete, but we have been able to draw up the table on the Unknown Hairdresser (Bradley Smith) right, showing what you might have seen around the station 50 years ago and the Unknown Strawberry Hill Dental Clinic shops which have taken their places. They clearly demonstrate the contrasting needs and lifestyles of residents then and now. In 1965, there was presumably no Post Office (Chas Severn) Post Office (Patel) demand for a bridal wear shop, a design studio or even a restaurant. But the loss Tower Road, South Side, from the station: of a local greengrocer and butcher (and later, a delicatessen) may not seem like Grocer (McDowells, moved to Bridal Wear (Lin Chan) progress to some. north side in c. 1970) What has changed most of all is the number of passengers using the station. Butcher (Framptons) Estate Agent (Farish Short) In the earliest years for which we have statistics, 1997/98, 434,000 journeys started or ended at Strawberry Hill each year. The comparable figure for 2012/13 Greengrocer (Quality Corner) Hairdresser (Kayzan) was 1,045,000, a huge increase of 140%. The numbers for 1965 would have been Car Hire (Wallis) Lexington Court considerably lower and the station must have been much quieter. It did have a Estate Agent “ full-time ticket office and a waiting room, though. Wellesley Parade, from the station: Aircraft noise, of course, has been a major concern since the Association was Newsagents (L M Barratt) General Store (Everydays) formed. Statistics for aircraft movements for 1965 are not available, but during 1969 between 4 and 5 million passengers used Heathrow Airport (renamed from Sweetshop (Bon Bon) Bahn Thai Massage London Airport in 1965). The corresponding figure for 2013 was 72 million! Chemist (H G M Osborne) Chemist (Strawberry Hill Although aircraft have got bigger and quieter in the last 50 years, these figures Pharmacy suggest that the number of aircraft passing over Strawberry Hill has increased by Grocer (E E Burford) Sopa (1st 2 units) at least 10% per annum. Continued on page 6 Ironmonger etc. (Butlers) Sopa (end unit) They got their Carol singing in Wellesley skates on Parade espite some initial opposition, Dorganisers of the Richmond Rink at ur annual Christmas carol-singing and sing the first verse of “Away in a manger”, Strawberry Hill House say it was a big Otree-unveiling took place in Wellesley while she and her students sang descant parts to success with families and children. Many Parade on 12th December. On a fine, dry other favourites. Mulled wine and mince pies young skaters took to the ice over evening there was a large turn-out of people, were served, with juice and sweet treats for the Christmas and the holidays, some skating and lots of children enthusiastically helped children. every day to build up their skills. Local to decorate the tree. A collection was made in aid of a local schools brought parties of children to test Carols were led by Helen Astrid, our local charity - the Strawberry Hill Overseas & the ice, and then made return visits in opera singer. She encouraged the youngsters to Community Concern (SHOCC) - and a response to popular demand. Skating donation of £300 will be presented at the AGM became an inclusive sport, too, due to the of the Strawberry Hill Residents' Association - use of wheelchairs on the ice. see page 1. Why Richmond Rink? The name of the temporary ice rink was chosen as a reminder CAR SERVICING & REPAIRS of the heritage of skating in the borough. The original and much-loved Richmond VOLVO Rink in East Twickenham closed in 1992, & leaving a regrettable gap in community sport Most other makes and the social lives of many residents. * plus * Tyres, batteries, exhausts • Very Skilled Technicians • Great Value • High Quality

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MKG 3000 The Mayor, Cllr. Jane Boulton assists a younger resident decorating the tree Tower Road, Strawberry Hill, TW1 4PP Page 5 The Bulletin No. 157 Spring 2015 www.shra.org.uk Strawberry Hill: then and now We found some photographs and postcards from the early 1960s and sent our photographer out to capture the same views today. Compare old with new to see how things have changed (or not) in half a century. Then: Tower Road and the crossing in the early 1960s. There’s an estate agent on the corner and behind, the petrol pumps of Wallis's Car Hire, probably the owners of the 1963 model Ford Zephyr on the right. Now: Lexington Court apartments on the left have replaced the old building and where the cobbler was, MKG 3000’s new development.

Then: River Hill Lodge and Inverness Lodge in Popes Grove were demolished in 1967 together with a third house, Myrtle Villa, to make way for Alexander Close (right).

Then: one of the last steam trains to pass through Strawberry Hill in 1967. The picture shows the wooden level crossing gates and the old signal box, demolished in 1977. Now: the same view today. Rochester House has been extended and redecorated.

Then: the drive and entrance to Horace Walpole's Strawberry Hill House 50 years ago. Now: the restoration has left the structure intact, but it is now painted in historically-accurate off- white and the crenellations on the left- hand block have gone.

Page 6 The Bulletin No. 157 Spring 2015 www.shra.org.uk SHRA’S “leading ladies” Pope’s Grotto any people have given their time, local people. But with determination and Mideas and enthusiasm to SHRA organisation, we can all help to preserve and Restoration over the years, but none more than June improve our area.” David Cornwell, chairman of the Pope’s Turner and Clare Phelps. And it was Clare's Grotto Preservation Trust, writes to seek Without June, Strawberry Hill organisational skills which your support would have been a very different were her big contrSibution place to live. As she puts it now: during 15 years as “Back in 1965 there was a real secretary of SHRA. lexander Pope’s Grotto is in a state of risk of a four-lane highway Joining the Committee Adisrepair and is on the ‘Heritage At Risk’ being bulldozed through after she retired in 1998, register. A famous landmark in Pope’s time, it people’s homes.” See page 3 she worked with is now smothered in three centuries of dust and for the route that was planned. everyone from South- grime and the minerals and fossils that remain Appalled by the idea, June and West Trains to the Civic are cast in shadow, exacerbated by three friends set up an anti-road Pride Fund and, of course, unsympathetic lighting installed decades ago. Radnor House School, owners of the Grotto, committee (the precursor of our neighbourhood and the Pope’s Grotto Preservation Trust are SHRA), distributed leaflets and councillors, always looking to seeking to restore the Grotto with the support of the posters, and the huge financial support June Turner represent the best interests of Twickenham community, the wider public and they received at a meeting in St Strawberry Hill residents. those who value the importance of Pope to our James’ Hall prompted them to brief counsel, Among her key achievements is the English culture and to the English Landscape who successfully fought the road at the liaison which now exists between St Mary's Movement. The estimated cost of this modest Public Inquiry in York House. University College and the community, restoration is £300,000. We have secured funding Residents realised they could fight for represented by SHRA, to deal with day-to- from English Heritage, and the Heritage Lottery other causes, and so began the 50-year story day matters such as student parking. Fund has agreed to our applying for an ‘Our of SHRA, which still has the task of During Clare's involvement with the Heritage’ grant. Applications are in progress for a monitoring planning applications and upgrading of the station, she discovered that number of other grants. This should cover half of threats to the neighbourhood. the unloved area opposite Strawberry Hill the sum we need to raise. However, we will need to After a 20-year absence in Africa Road - “A tip”, as she describes demonstrate matching funding to secure these with her husband Willie, who was it - did not belong to grants. in the Diplomatic Service, the anybody. So she We encourage any donation, no matter how Turners were plunged into persuaded the council to small, to help us fund this important local SHRA affairs again on their clear it up, add a planter restoration. Once restored, the Grotto will not only return - he as Chairman. Road and even bicycle racks. be more widely accessible by the public and safety has always been a major SHRA supplied the academics, providing for further study of Pope and concern for the Turners and it plants and does the his contribution to the English Landscape was thanks to their upkeep. Movement, but it will also become a valuable campaigning that the council Aided by Eugene resource for use by schools and colleges in the added the roundabout and “keep Bacot, Clare was the prime Borough. clear” markings at the potentially mover behind two popular A full description of the restoration can be dangerous junction of Tower Road annual events: SHRA's Clare Phelps viewed at www.popesgrotto.org.uk, where there is with Cross Deep/Strawberry Vale. strawberry stall at the Fun Day also an online facility to donate. If you would They also went to the aid of residents in the gardens of Strawberry rather send a cheque, please make it payable to the of Orford Gardens and Tower Road, where Hill House and the Christmas carol Pope’s Grotto Preservation Trust and send it to: drivers from elsewhere would park and singalong in Wellesley Road. She took a leave their cars sometimes for weeks on end. particular interest in planning issues and The Treasurer Evidence gathered by recording number played a major role in the dispute over St The Pope’s Grotto Preservation Trust plates led to the introduction of a CPZ. James' Hall and the need to provide short- 15 Spencer Road June says: “Everything changes and term free parking in Tower Road for the Twickenham some things are beyond the influence of shops. TW2 5TH June and Clare, often called SHRA's The Trust is also seeking volunteers to assist on “leading ladies”, agree: “The Strawberry opening days this year: three Saturday mornings Hill Residents’ Association has been during the Twickenham Festival in June and one responsible for keeping our village a morning in September. If you are interested, please vibrant community.” contact us through our website.

Continued from page 8 Victorian house on Pope’s Avenue caught his Tony’s enthusiasm and extensive eye. Built in the 1880s by a railway research led to the publication in 1991 of his contractor, it was distinguished - as it is today book, “Strawberry Hill: A History of the - by unusual chimney stacks in the form of a Neighbourhood”, still available in its 2nd viaduct. Sometime later, the house came up revised version. for sale, Tony bought it and he and his wife, Also an authority on Alexander Pope, he Robina, have lived there for 42 years. has published several works on the poet and After retiring as an architect 20 years ago, his association with Twickenham, as well as Tony Beckles Willson embarked on a organising the celebration of Pope’s successful new career as a sculptor. Yet he tercentenary at Strawberry Hill House in 1988. still made time to serve the community as a Tony’s first home here was on Chairman of SHRA, co-founder of the Twickenham Green. Then, on the daily and a key figure in the commute to Strawberry Hill station, a large restoration of Pope’s Grotto.

Page 7 The Bulletin No. 157 Spring 2015 www.shra.org.uk Two gentlemen of SHRA Our reporter has been interviewing two of our former Committee members here’s certainly something about Waldegrave Road. For her part, Margaret TStrawberry Hill: when people move went to St Catherine’s and remembers doing here, they tend to stay - for many years in her prep in the Grotto as the bombs fell. She some cases. Nowhere else will do. Two of and her family lived in Michelham Gardens our veteran residents are George Kerpner, and although their home took a hit, they were T H E C O M M I T T E E one of the original “founding four” of safely in a part that survived the bomb. SHRA, and Tony Beckles Willson, After the War, Margaret moved to OFFICERS author of the definitive book Poulett Gardens and after she and about Strawberry Hill and its George shivered through their Bruce Duff long history. wedding at St James’ on one of George came here from the coldest days of the (Chair) Austria in his early teens just decade, there was only one 020 8894 5271 before the outbreak of the 2nd place to set up home World War and settled into together: Strawberry Hill - Peter Lamb the top flat at 3 Waldegrave first in George’s flat and then Park - where later on during in Orford Gardens, where in (Vice-Chair) the bombing, nights were spent 1963 they paid £5,000 for the Cathy Bird huddled in the basement with his house they still live in today. neighbours. Apart from his student While they observe that the (Hon. Treasurer) appearance of the area is largely days at Cambridge and a brief stay George Kerpner abroad after the war, he has unchanged, the Kerpners look back 020 8892 6990 wistfully at bygone aspects of life: remained in Strawberry Hill ever since, Pam Crisp meeting and marrying his wife Margaret here children spilling out of the back gardens of in 1952. Waldegrave Park to play in the College (Hon. Secretary) Wartime memories are still strong for grounds; tennis at the club on Spencer Road, both of them. As hostilities began, George where houses now stand; paying just 5 020 8898 1878 shillings (25p) for a weekly season recorded the date in his diary and M E M B E R S then, walking past Radnor ticket to Waterloo. They also recall the allotments where a Gardens, he stopped to watch a George Kerpner Luftwaffe bomb was Mike Allsop ladies’ match on the bowling uncovered in the 1950s in green. “It might have been the 020 8891 1614 what is now Abbotsmede last day of peace, but in the Close. Julia Fiehn spirit of Sir Francis Drake, Tony Beckles Willson is they weren’t going to let another local hero, moving to 020 8892 3920 Hitler get in the way of their Strawberry Hill in 1959 from Lyndon Law bowls,” he says now. Beckenham - “A dull place”, One day, cycling to school at he says now. Twickenham, Charles Owens Hampton Grammar, he had to avoid though, has always fascinated several houses reduced to rubble Tony Beckles Willson him, with its long and colourful Teresa Read after the previous night’s bombing. history and the many famous Another raid demolished a house on the people who have lived here over the years. Robert Youngs corner of Strawberry Hill Road and Continued on page 7 020 8894 1121 The Bulletin is published by the Strawberry Hill Residents' Association and is distributed free, 3 times a year, to approximately 2,400 homes in the area. All text, images and design © Copyright 2015 Strawberry Hill Residents' !Association, except where noted. For advertising or editorial questions, email: [email protected], Twitter: @SHResidents RENEWAL OF SUBSCRIPTION of £5.00 (minimum) PER HOME FOR YEAR 2015 This subscription renewal may be made by cash or cheque made payable to Strawberry Hill Residents' Name(s):______Association. Address:______Please write your name and address in the box, put your subscription in an envelope with this form and hand it to: ______

A Cathy Bird, 2 Hollies Close, TW1 4NL ______Postcode: ______or B Post Office, Tower Road Telephone:______Payment may also be made by Standing Order. Forms are available from Cathy or from the SHRA Email:______website (www.shra.org.uk)

Larger donations are always welcome! Amount: £______Date: ______

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